MASTIC TREE Seeds | Pistacia lentiscus

Soak the seed for 24 hours in alkalised water. To make akalised water add 1.75g of bicarbonate soda to a cup of spring water and stir. Alternatively soak the seeds or for 3 - 4 days in warm water and sow late winter. 2 months cold stratification may speed up germination, so it might be better to sow the seed in early winter. The germination of the Mastic Tree is variable and can be slow. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and keep the plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out into their permanent positions in early summer and consider giving some protection from winter cold for their first year or two outdoors.

Pistacia lentiscus is a plant of the Mediterranean region. It requires hot summers. When dormant, the plant can survive occasional temperatures down to about -9°C, but young growth is more tender and can be severely damaged at -1°C.

Succeeds in any ordinary garden soil, preferring a hot dry position in full sun. Prefers a well drained to dry sandy or stony alkaline soil, tolerating low fertility. Prefers a pH in the range 6.5 - 8. Established plants are drought tolerant.

The Mastic Tree is cultivated in southern Europe for its gum, aromatic resin and mastic oil. Most cultivation takes place on the Greek Island of Chios and some surrounding islands.

Mastic is a very variable plant. A form with broad leaves yielding the best resin. Plants respond well to coppicing, usually resprouting freely if cut back. Any pruning that needs to be done is best carried out in the spring.

A dioecious plant, both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

A sweet liquorice flavoured resin called 'Mastic' is obtained from incisions made into the bark of the trunk but not into the wood. The odour is pleasant and the taste mild and resinous. When chewed it becomes soft and so can easily be masticated. It is chewed to strengthen the gums and as a breath freshener and also used as a flavouring in puddings and sweets including Turkish Delight. It is also the basis of a Greek confectionery called 'Masticha' and a liqueur called 'Mastiche’. The seeds are edible and an oil can be obtained from them. The seed contains around 25% high quality oil and can be used as a salad oil. The fruits are rich in Anthocyanins and these are used as colourings in foods.

Mastic was at one time greatly used in herbal medicine. The resin obtained from the tree being the most revered. It can be employed as an expectorant for bronchial troubles and coughs and as a treatment for digestive issues.

The resin is analgesic, anti-tussive, carminative, diuretic, expectorant, odontalgic, sedative, stimulant and a tonic for the brain.

It is used in the treatment of gastric ailments including ulcers, stomach aches, dyspepsia and diarrhoea and is also used in conditions such as hepatic inflammation, diabetes, hyper cholesterolemia and tooth disease. Applied externally as an oil it is used to treat wounds, boils, ulcers, ringworm and muscular stiffness.

The resin is mixed with other substances and can be used as a temporary filling for carious teeth.

The fruits and seeds are said to be aphrodisiac. They are also used in the treatment of liver, kidney, heart and respiratory system disorders.

The leaves are anti-inflammatory,anti-pyretic, antiseptic, appetizer, astringent, cicatrizant, emollient, expectorant, stomachic and stimulant. They are used in the treatment of abdominal and intestinal pain, jaundice asthma, toothache, mycosis and herpes. The roots are antiseptic and used in the treatment of dental problems.

A resin known as 'Mastic' or ‘Tears of Chios’ is obtained by making small vertical incisions in the bark of the tree from mid summer to the autumn.

The resin exudes from the cuts and hardens being harvested about 3 weeks later. It can be dried and used as a incense or made into an oil.

It is used in high grade varnishes, as an incense, a fixative in perfumes, tooth pastes, glue, embalming and as a temporary filling for teeth.

It is used to seal the edges of microscope mounts and is also chewed to preserve the teeth and gums.

An oil obtained from the seed is used for lantern fuel and in soap making.

The leaves contain up to 19% tannin and they are often used as an adulterant of the spice Sumac.

The stems are used in basket making. The pink-coloured wood takes on a beautiful polish. It is used in cabinet making and carpentry.The wood makes an excellent fuel and is used to make a charcoal discs.